What a difference a year makes! Well, a new coach, several new players and not forgetting a club song and brass band, could also have helped to change our fortunes.

Expectations have grown through the season but the nature of our results has not always impressed many of the supporters and certainly not much of the Rugby press.

However, we have not won at the Rec since New Years Day 2005, so would we be prepared to accept a win no matter how it was achieved? 

It will again be another game that will keep Saracens fans’ blood pressure on the high side no matter if you are at the Rec, listening on BBC Radio Bristol or the other myriad of ways of keeping up to date with the game.  Can you really see Bath falling to pieces two weeks in a row?  

After last weekend’s games both teams had much to think about; the coaches had many words to say about their teams performances: One coach took the responsibility for a poor performance, “Headless chickens” (no more puns please!) “Wasteful” “missed opportunities”, and the other coach said “Relax and do the basics” “the effort is terrific” and “belief that there really is a lot of talent in the side”. Can you guess which coach’s team won? You may be surprised.

 There will be changes to both teams this weekend with the Autumn Internationals and injuries taking their toll. It’s good to see that Barnes was released for Bath but it’s a shame that Borth’s could not also be released to add some spice to the event. I’m sure he would have got another rousing reception from the Bath fans!

We can expect Bath to play the fast offloading game but with Banahan and Bell missing it may not have the same effect. They will want to bounce straight back from their disappointing performance last week and will no doubt be studying the tapes long and hard, working out how others have nullified our game plan.

Saracens on the other hand want to keep this winning run going and will want to take advantage of a poor performing Bath. With 3 weeks until the next GP game (only 2 LV games and a small matter of South Africa in that time!) the strongest squad should be named. A big factor in the game could be the front rows. With only Aguero missing for us we could impose a great deal of pressure on their pack and with a good bench coming on later in the game take a decisive hold. After trying to do things a little differently against Leeds last week the return of tactical kicking may be in evidence on Saturday. If accurate and properly used this could help to achieve a win and keep us top of the table.  With the quality of Jackson’s kicking and taking into account the sticky subject of squad rotation, Houggard will probably start at No 10. 

Prediction: Apart from getting wet as it always rains! I feel that this will be a dogfight of a game. Current form would show that Saracens should win and with Dr V’s honest comments and a good deal of reflection from the squad I believe we will win. I don’t think there will be more than 6 points in it but look forward to a happy journey home on the Halloween coach.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon